Newsletter

Road closures still a problem in Northeast Florida days after Debby

Clay County engineers and contractors check out CR 218 west of Middleburg, Florida where the road washed out overnight Wednesday, June 26, 2012. Heavy rains from Tropical Storm Debby were the cause of the floods, and the road remains closed.

Tropical Storm Debby may be long gone, but its torrential rains are still affecting area Florida roads, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.

- Duval: The northbound lane of Riverside Avenue between Osceola and Stockton streets is still closed, with traffic detoured to Oak Street. The southbound lane is open.

- Clay: County Road 218 at Country Estates Road in Clay Hill is closed as reconstruction of the washed out roadway over Big Branch Creek continues. That could be done in a week or so, say county officials. The Main Street boat ramp is also closed due to mud washed in by overflowing Black Creek.

- Nassau: U.S. 301 at Bryceville about four miles north of Baldwin is closed at Brandy Branch Bridge due to last week's washout. With repairs set to have it reopened in the next few weeks, traffic is detoured to U.S. 90 and County Roads 119 and 121, which is a 13-mile long detour.

- Columbia: Florida 247 north and south of County Road 240 is still closed, the road north of County Road 240 totally impassable according to the state. South of County Road 240, aka Market Road, is under water. Traffic detoured to Florida 47 via U.S. 27. And U.S. 441 at the U.S. 41 split in Lake City, in front of Columbia High School, is still under water and impassable. Traffic has been detoured to U.S. 41.

- Suwannee: U.S. 90 five miles west of U.S. 129 in Live Oak is closed and totally impassable. And U.S. 129 just south of Live Oak and County Road 252 is closed, with partial closure 2.5 miles south of the town of McAlpin and Landfill Road.

State officials warn that is the road ahead is flooded, turn around and look for an alternate route instead of risking a washed out pavement hidden by floodwaters. And once the water recedes, these areas are susceptible to sinkholes. Report any unusual dips or holes in the roadway to the transportation department at (800) 749-2967 or to local police.